The 38th CARIFTA Games was held in the George Odlum National Stadium in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, on April 10–13, 2009.

[5][8][9] In the boys' U-20 category, there were 6 new records set, the most significant by Kirani James of Grenada finishing the 400 metres in 45.45 seconds,[3][8] thereby gathering this years' Austin Sealy Award.

[4][8] On the field, Raymond Higgs from the Bahamas cleared 2.21m in high jump,[3][8] whereas Quincy Wilson from Trinidad and Tobago threw the discus 55.67 metres.

[2][9] In the boys' U-17 category, Jahazeel Murphy of Jamaica set two new games records, one in the 200 metres in 20.97s (1.4 m/s),[5][8] and the other by leading the Jamaican 4 × 100 m relay team to 40.76s.

[4][9] In high jump, both Peta-Gaye Reid of Jamaica and Akela Jones of Barbados cleared 1.80m equaling the games record set in 1999.